East London fishmonger sacked after being caught throwing frozen seafood on pavement outside shop

24 October 2023, 18:44 | Updated: 24 October 2023, 18:52

By Jasmine Moody

A fishmonger who was filmed repeatedly throwing frozen seafood on the pavement outside an East London shop has now been sacked.

The shocking footage shows a staff member slamming frozen seafood on the pavement outside the back entrance to Moon Fish, located at Barking Market on East Street.

The fishmonger appears to be trying to break up the frozen blocks of fish.

Barking and Dagenham Borough Council responded and said it had acted "immediately" after becoming aware of the video.

The man filming said: "Look at that. Moon Fish - that is what he does with your meat. Breaks it up on the floor.

"That's going in your bellies, ladies and gentlemen."

The video has since gone viral on Youtube, TikTok and Twitter/X, where users are just as disgusted.

One X user said: "This is revolting. He needs to be jailed as well as have his licence revoked ASAP".

Others joked about "battered" fish.

However, some users defended the man’s actions, with one writing: "I’m in commercial kitchens all the time for work and I have seen this more than once. I’ve also seen plenty worse."

Moon Fish has spoken out and blamed a new recruit, resulting in him being sacked, according to the council.

A staff member said: "Basically, it was a new guy. It was his first day."

As the business had only registered on 10 May 2023, it has not yet been inspected.

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A council spokesperson said: "We had already been made aware of the video and had acted on it immediately due to the potential food safety risks involved.

"We have contacted the operator, who advised that it was the employee’s first day and was a trainee.

"He has now been removed from the shop and the affected fish has been discarded.

"Officers will be carrying out a full inspection of the premises imminently."